Hi everyone - thought I'd start a post to first welcome those coming here for the first time in lieu of their local face-to-face meeting(s) closing due to health precautions.
Glad you're here. You'll notice this board does not operate like a normal meeting. While in general, most members try to stick to the principles of this program and offer support and experience, strength, and hope instead of straightforward advice, you'll notice due to the nature of this format, sometimes direct questions are asked and we may at times offer specific advice. Usually, however, that advice is to get to meetings, read the literature, work the steps, communicate with your sponsor, participate in service, etc.
Now that I have that out of the way, I just wanted to provide some suggestions if you've found yourself without your cherished face-to-face meetings.
My home group set up a teleconference using a free teleconference service. We're going to be keeping the same phone number and pin for the time being. This might be something you could consider discussing with members of your own face-to-face meetings if they're temporarily closed.
Consider also other group conferencing services, like Zoom, GoToWeb, etc. for your local groups.
If you DO set up such a meeting, I also encourage you to get in touch with your local District and/or Area and ask if they'd be willing to post your temporary call-in information to their local web sites, newsletters, etc so that the word is getting out that people in your communities can still stay in touch. The WSO has posted a notice on their web site noting that it's not possible for them to change all the group information for these temporary measures on their "find a meeting"portal, so try to see if you can, instead, do it more locally, at least.
Also I encourage all of you if you have a phone list to meetings that you attend... reach out! Touch base with people. If anything for your own sanity, but this is also a valuable service to your brothers and sisters in recovery, too. We all know how difficult it is to pick up that 1,000-pound phone. I think this is a wonderful time to start working on that muscle. I've already asked for phone calls and am ready to make my own calls, as well.
And, of course, you're welcome and encouraged to come here for a little recovery, too.
I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and taking good care of your spiritual selves. Remember - this, too, shall pass.
Freetime said
Mar 18, 2020
Aloha, thank you for sharing this valuable information!
In my local district, probably all F2F meetings are closed due to a shelter-in-place order, and some have already set up online video conferencing meetings. I attended one last night and it was amazingly good. I had been worried that people would have technical issues using their devices to participate in the meeting, and that would get the meeting off track, but there were surprisingly few technical problems and everyone really benefited from the meeting.
I am grateful we have old-school methods like telephone lists and new-school technology -- including MIP and all the newer-fangled stuff -- to help us stay connected in this "we" program. The biggest thing I learned in Al-Anon was the importance of reaching out, which did not come naturally to me. I am trying to reach out more today.
a4l said
Mar 18, 2020
<3 bless. That is so kind. It might even be a better access for people like me in places where there is no Al-Anon f2f!
Iamhere said
Mar 19, 2020
Thank you for the share Aloha! In our area, meetings have been deemed 'open' across the board, and each group is doing their own things. Some are doing F2F meetings, some are doing phone, some are doing online. It's a large metro area with hundreds of meetings a day so ... one process doesn't work for all. Sending love and light to all - these are different times, and how grateful I am to have a program!!
PosiesandPuppies said
Mar 19, 2020
Thank you Aloha for thinking of this!
My f2F has closed, but I have also used MIP every day, so I felt I had a go-to. Not everyone may have a ready-made go-to!
I am not on lock-down as I work in healthcare. So it is unlikely I will be sheltering even if I was. But I have been social distancing since first week of Feb. So it can get a little lonely. it is good to know the information you are providing.
Bless you all, and welcome if you are new!
&
Bo said
Mar 19, 2020
Yes...meetings are cancelled here.
We have moved the meetings to web/video and telephone call in/conference call meetings. The web/video meetings we've been doing are phenomenal.
Also, separate from that, Al-Anon WSO (World Services Organization) offers telephone call in/conference call meetings as well as chatroom type meetings.
grace225 said
Mar 19, 2020
Hello, Newbie here. Meandered into this chat room by way of the quarantines. Thanks to all who serve in these chat rooms, which have been so helpful to me this week. This is also a great tool to know of for people who cannot get to in-person meetings, i.e. lone members, shut ins, etc. Looking forward to connecting.
Grace
Freetime said
Mar 19, 2020
Welcome, Grace! I am glad you found us. Feel free to post here, start a new topic, add to discussions. Someone will be sure to respond, and we can all work together in recovery.
-- Edited by Freetime on Thursday 19th of March 2020 07:11:26 PM
Iamhere said
Mar 19, 2020
I also send you a welcome to MIP Grace! Agree completely - MIP is a gift for all of us wanting/needing to enhance our recovery through creative ways! Keep coming back and glad you're here!
Bo said
Mar 21, 2020
Here in NNJ, the alanon community collectively got together very quickly, and as of today, there is no at least one meeting every day via zoom, with additional meetings being added. The Men's meeting will be a recurring meeting, as will the two biggest meetings in NNJ, and several of the smaller ones. Really great to see the alanon community coming together.
WSO has also been addressing this and has apparently added meetings of various types. Our GSR has not yet circulated the information yet, but I am guessing word has gotten out and will get out even more.
Hi everyone - thought I'd start a post to first welcome those coming here for the first time in lieu of their local face-to-face meeting(s) closing due to health precautions.
Glad you're here. You'll notice this board does not operate like a normal meeting. While in general, most members try to stick to the principles of this program and offer support and experience, strength, and hope instead of straightforward advice, you'll notice due to the nature of this format, sometimes direct questions are asked and we may at times offer specific advice. Usually, however, that advice is to get to meetings, read the literature, work the steps, communicate with your sponsor, participate in service, etc.
Now that I have that out of the way, I just wanted to provide some suggestions if you've found yourself without your cherished face-to-face meetings.
My home group set up a teleconference using a free teleconference service. We're going to be keeping the same phone number and pin for the time being. This might be something you could consider discussing with members of your own face-to-face meetings if they're temporarily closed.
Consider also other group conferencing services, like Zoom, GoToWeb, etc. for your local groups.
If you DO set up such a meeting, I also encourage you to get in touch with your local District and/or Area and ask if they'd be willing to post your temporary call-in information to their local web sites, newsletters, etc so that the word is getting out that people in your communities can still stay in touch. The WSO has posted a notice on their web site noting that it's not possible for them to change all the group information for these temporary measures on their "find a meeting"portal, so try to see if you can, instead, do it more locally, at least.
Also I encourage all of you if you have a phone list to meetings that you attend... reach out! Touch base with people. If anything for your own sanity, but this is also a valuable service to your brothers and sisters in recovery, too. We all know how difficult it is to pick up that 1,000-pound phone. I think this is a wonderful time to start working on that muscle. I've already asked for phone calls and am ready to make my own calls, as well.
The WSO does also list several phone and various online format meetings. Please check their site to see if any of those meetings might be helpful to you: https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/
And, of course, you're welcome and encouraged to come here for a little recovery, too.
I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy, and taking good care of your spiritual selves. Remember - this, too, shall pass.
In my local district, probably all F2F meetings are closed due to a shelter-in-place order, and some have already set up online video conferencing meetings. I attended one last night and it was amazingly good. I had been worried that people would have technical issues using their devices to participate in the meeting, and that would get the meeting off track, but there were surprisingly few technical problems and everyone really benefited from the meeting.
I am grateful we have old-school methods like telephone lists and new-school technology -- including MIP and all the newer-fangled stuff -- to help us stay connected in this "we" program. The biggest thing I learned in Al-Anon was the importance of reaching out, which did not come naturally to me. I am trying to reach out more today.
My f2F has closed, but I have also used MIP every day, so I felt I had a go-to. Not everyone may have a ready-made go-to!
I am not on lock-down as I work in healthcare. So it is unlikely I will be sheltering even if I was. But I have been social distancing since first week of Feb. So it can get a little lonely. it is good to know the information you are providing.
Bless you all, and welcome if you are new!
We have moved the meetings to web/video and telephone call in/conference call meetings. The web/video meetings we've been doing are phenomenal.
Also, separate from that, Al-Anon WSO (World Services Organization) offers telephone call in/conference call meetings as well as chatroom type meetings.
Grace
Welcome, Grace! I am glad you found us. Feel free to post here, start a new topic, add to discussions. Someone will be sure to respond, and we can all work together in recovery.
-- Edited by Freetime on Thursday 19th of March 2020 07:11:26 PM
WSO has also been addressing this and has apparently added meetings of various types. Our GSR has not yet circulated the information yet, but I am guessing word has gotten out and will get out even more.
Meeting times are Monday - Friday 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday 10 am and 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
please come and try out our meeting room!